Madayaw News

Champions in Mindanao IHL Debates, 2017

The Mindanao International Humanitarian Law Debates 2017, organized by the Phil. National Red Cross for high school and college students, were held on 13-15 October in St. John Paul II College of Davao.

The University of the Philippines Mindanao Team B emerged as Champions in the College category over a field composed of teams from Ateneo de Davao, Colegio de Kidapawan, St. Peter's College of Toril, Southern Baptist College, University of Mindanao, University of Southern Mindanao, University of the Immaculate Conception, University of the Philippines Mindanao, and Xavier University.

Bukidnon State University-HS Team A were the Champions in the High School Category in a field that included Ateneo de Davao, Assumption College of Davao, Southern Christian College, University of Mindanao, and University of the Immaculate Conception.

The elimination rounds held on 14 October had 4 rounds of debates. Round 1 on Neutrality raised the motion "This House Believes That The Int'l Red Cross/Red Crescent Should Condemn Regimes that Undermine International Humanitarian Law". Round 2 on Gender, stated that "This House Would Assign Female Judges To War Crime Cases That Involve Rape". Round 3 on the Environment, said "This House Would Prosecute State or Non-State Actors for Environmental Law Violations Done During Armed Conflicts". Round 4 on Private Military Corporations moved that "This House Supports NGO's Use of Private Military Corporations During Armed Conflicts".

The Grand Finals Debate was on the motion "This House Regrets The Airstrikes in Marawi" where UP Mindanao Team B was on the side of Government and Xavier University was on the side of the Opposition.

The UP Mindanao Debate Society received a total of 6 medals: 3 medals awarded to the members of the champion team; 1 for Finals best speaker, awarded to Andres Karl Segovia; 1 for being 9th Best Speaker of the tournament, awarded to Karl Tristan Butalid; 1 for 6th Best Adjudicator, awarded to Justin Niel Villanueva.